Brian Williams Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Nutrient Efficiency and Management Conference February 15,2012 Morton, MN

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1 Brian Williams Minnesota Department of Agriculture Nutrient Efficiency and Management Conference February 15,2012 Morton, MN

2 Today s Topics Results from: Hwy 90 Drainage Demonstration Nutrient Management Initiative Program Verndale Wellhead Protection Demonstration Project

3 Hwy 90 Drainage Demonstration Water Quality and Nutrient Management Demonstration

4 Hwy 90 Drainage Project Goals Evaluate Best Management Practices effectiveness Evaluate water quality at field-scale Environmental Influences Compare to larger watershed Evaluate long term trends Evaluate economic outcomes for producers Education outreach

5 Hwy 90 Design N-2 N-1 S-2 S-1 80 Spacing Optimum Production (Fall N) 80 Spacing U of M Guidance Spring Applied N 50 Spacing U of M Guidance Spring Applied N 50 Spacing Optimum Production (Fall N)

6 Monitoring Equipment

7 Watershed N-2 Aggressive N-1 BMP Spring N U of M Rate S-2 BMP Spring N U of M Rate S-1 Aggressive Hwy 90 Nutrient Applications 2007 Corn (variable rate) Fall NH3 No N- Serve Spring Urea (uniform) Spring Urea (uniform) (variable rate) Fall 2008 Corn (variable rate) Fall NH3 w/n- Serve Spring Urea (uniform) Spring Urea (uniform) (variable 2009 SB 2010 Corn None Fall NH3 (100#) Spring AMS/Urea(26#) P & K (uniform) None Spring NH3 (75#) Spring AMS/Urea(26#) P&K 85-0 (variable) None Spring NH3 (75#) Spring AMS/Urea(26#) P&K 75-0 (variable) None Fall NH3 (100#) Spring 2011 SB 2012 Corn None Fall NH3 145#/A w/n- Serve (uniform) None Fall NH3 145#/A w/n- Serve (uniform) None Fall NH3 145#/A w/n- Serve (uniform) None Fall NH3 145#/A w/n-

8 yr. Avg. January Snow & 1.4 Precip February March April May June July August September October November December Total Below normal precipitation Above normal precipitation

9 Inches of Drainage by Watershed S-1--50' S-2--50' N-1--80' N-2--80'

10 Highway 90 Drainage 2011 Rain Events & Intensity Drainage Flow & Events

11 2010 Rainfall and Drainage Intense Rain Events in 2010

12 June 25, 2010 Rain Event 50 Spacings 80 Spacings

13 (mg/l) Corn Nitrate-N FWMC Corn Corn Recommended (BMP) 14.2 Aggressive Safe Drinking Water Standard

14 (lbs/acre) Nitrate-N Yield (Pounds of N Lost per Acre) Corn Corn Soy Corn Soybeans 40 Recommended (BMP) Aggressive

15 Pounds of N Lost per Inch of Drainage Average Recommended BMP Aggressive

16 (mg/l) Hwy 90 Total Phosphorous FWMC Recommended (BMP) Aggressive 0.30 MPCA Lake Standard

17 lbs/acre Total Phosphorous Yield (Pounds per Acre) 1.20 Recommended (BMP) Aggressive

18 Phosphorous Soil Test Results

19 Bushels per Acre Hwy 90 Corn Yields Average Yield Difference 19 Bushels per Acre Recommended (BMP) Aggressive

20 Hwy 90 Drainage--Net Return Comparison $200 $180 $160 $140 $120 $100 $80 $60 $40 $20 $0 $97.00 $ $ $ Average Difference $54.66 per Acre $ $76.00 Recommended BMP Aggressive

21 Drainage Conclusions Normally 4-5 major drainage events per year Drainage flow normally ceases in early July Drainage flow influenced by crop stage, soil moisture, & intensity 75% of total runoff occurs over short period 35 days in 2007, 34 days in 2008, 48 days in 2009, 25 days in 2010 & 30 days in 2011 Majority of overall drainage has occurred after spring snowmelt-march, and June rain events.

22 Summary Hwy 90 Nitrate Losses 2.1 to 2.5 pounds of N are lost per inch of drainage. Nitrate concentrations were reduced by an average of 2 mg/l when spring applied at a reduced rate. N losses reduced by an average of 4.6 lbs. when spring applied at a 30 lb. reduced rate.

23 Summary Hwy 90 P Losses An additional 77# per acre of P were applied to the aggressive/max production watersheds compared to the BMP comparison plots. Higher P application comparisons resulted in an average increase of.09 mg/l (FWMC) or additional losses of.21 pounds of P per acre.

24 Economic Considerations Corn production years resulted in an average loss of 19 bushels per acre using BMP practices. using actual nutrient input costs and an average corn market price resulted in an average loss of $54 per acre. Today s Prices -19 bushel loss equals $114 per acre. ($6.01 Crop Insurance Price)

25 On-Farm Evaluation of Nitrogen and Phosphorous Nutrient Management

26 1,400 1,200 1,000 Relationship between Grain Corn Production, Acreage, and N Fertilizer Inputs Bushels Produced Planted Acres N Fertilizer Inputs (estimated) 0 Corn Acres (X10000) Est. Tons of N Fertilizer on Corn (X1,000) Bu. Produced (Millions)

27 Site Locations

28 Nutrient Management Initiative Design Either nitrogen or phosphorous site 2 Rates replicated 3X Minimize variables other than N or P No manure or alfalfa history Current soil test required High and very high testing phosphorous fields

29 Nutrient Management Initiative Design Nitrogen Guidance Treatment A (low rate) # per Acre corn following soybeans # per Acre corn following corn Treatment B (high rate) Maintain at least 30# rate separation Strip size minimum of 40 wide by minimum of 600 long can be larger Low N rate check= length Harvest 1 combine swath per strip Weigh wagon or yield monitor

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31 Enrollment & Producer Agreement Farmer signs an EQIP contract with local USDA- NRCS Ag Center ($1340 payment) New Farmer completes Producer Agreement Contact information, crop consultant & anticipated applications Insure the sites are established correctly Farmer must work with a certified crop adviser validates cropping and harvest info. ($400 payment incentive) New

32 Reporting Information Farmer/Crop Consultant Responsibility Cropping Information July 1 st Harvest Information November 15 th MDA Responsibilities Checklist sent to NRCS county office confirming requirements met (mid December) Farmer and Crop Consultant receives individual site results (late December) Overall results tabulated and copies sent out to farmers, crop consultants, & NRCS staff (early to mid January)

33 2011 Nutrient Management Initiative Results Nitrogen Rate Comparison County Waseca Previous Crop Soybeans Soil Test Information Township Woodville History New Site Texture clay loam Tillage System Fall Chisel & Spring Tillage O.M.% 4 Irrigated Planting Date Row width Population Hybrid/Variety ph 6.3 No 5/6/ ,400 DeKalb DKC52-59 Buffer ph 6.7 Pesticide: Roundup + Callisto-Atrazine PhosBray ppm 14 Rate 32 oz oz+1# Phos Olsen ppm 0 Harvest Date 10/11/2011Comments: Pottasium ppm 113 Treatment A--(low rate)*(1) Total Plant Food Per Acre Economic Evaluation Report Nutrient Source Cost per ton Rate lbs./acre Application Date Timing/ Placement Applied on N Check N total lbs./a P2O5 total lbs./a K2O total lbs./a Sulfur Zinc $ /04/11 Pre-Plant Bnd No $ gallons 05/06/11 Starter Yes $ /05/10 Fall Brdcst Yes $ /05/10 Fall Brdcst Yes Nitrogen Stabilizer Used? No TPF/Acre Treatment B--(high rate)*(2) Total Plant Food Per Acre Nutrient Source Cost per ton Rate lbs./acre Application Date Timing/ Placement Applied on N Check N total lbs./a P2O5 total lbs./a K2O total lbs./a Sulfur Zinc $ /4/2011 Pre-Plant Bnd No $ gallons 5/6/2011 Starter Yes $ /5/2010 Fall Brdcst Yes $ /5/2010 Fall Brdcst Yes Nitrogen Stabilizer Used? No TPF/Acre Yield Results Weighing Method Weigh Wagon Strip Number Total N Harvested Length in Feet Row Width Inches # of Rows Harvested % Moisture Test Weight Harvest Weight Adjusted 15% Stalk Nitrate Results Yield Averages Check Check Ave Treatment A (low) Treatment B (high) Check Nitrogen Cost per lb. of actual N 0.32 *Based on farmers actual costs & predominant nitrogen source Nitrogen to Corn Price* Ratio 0.05 University of Mn. Rate Guidelines Corn price based on $6.22 per bushel--results from Marshall and Red Wing MN Cash Price average 11/1/10 to 11/1/11 Additional Cost for 30lbs. of N per acre $9.60 Yield Difference from Additional N bushels/acre or -$8.18 Net Return from Additional N per $6.22/bu ($17.78) Sent to Participating Farmer and Crop Consultant

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35 Economic Response to Increased N Rates ($/Ac) 2011 Nutrient Management Results $200 $ Sites y = x R² = $100 Break Even 3.0 Bushels/A $50 $ ($50) ($100) Yield Response to Increased N Rates (Bu/Ac)

36 Economic Response to Increased N Rate ($/Ac) $200 $150 $ Nutrient Management Sites 177 Locations Break Even 3.95 Bushels/A y = x R² = $50 $ $50 -$100 Yield Response to Increased N Rate (Bu/Ac)

37 100% 80% 60% 40% Yield Advantage from Higher N Comparison 100% 100% 85% 80% 84% 78% 75% 79% 75% 60% 68% 66% 56% 43% 20% 0% Yr. Ave. Corn following Soybean Corn following Corn

38 Yield Response (bu/ac) Yield Response from Additional N 106 sites corn/soybean, Avg low N rate = 120 lb N/ac, Avg yield 189 bu./ac Avg high N rate = 156 lb N/ac, Avg yield 196 bu/ac 5 year avg. for applying extra N = 5.6 bu/ac

39 Yield Response (bu/ac) Yield Response from Additional N corn/corn, Avg low N rate = 159 lb N/ac, Avg yield 174 bu./ac Avg high N rate = 198 lb N/ac, Avg yield 179 bu/ac 5 year avg. for applying extra N = 3.7 bu/ac sites 6.1

40 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Economic Advantage from Higher N Comparison 56% 33% 78% 25% 58% 56% 40% 56% 50% 38% 32% 54% 55% Yr. Ave. Corn following Soybeans 177 Sites Corn following Corn 41%

41 Net Return ($/ac) Net Return from Additional N corn/soybean, $200 $150 Avg low N rate = 120 lb N/ac, Avg yield 189 bu./ac Avg high N rate = 156 lb N/ac, Avg yield 196 bu/ac $100 $50 $13.76 $4.16 $6.91 $7.24 $(6.59) $0 -$50 -$ year avg. for applying extra N = $5.10/ac

42 Net Return ($/ac) Net Return from Additional N corn/corn, $200 $150 Avg low N rate = 159 lb N/ac, Avg yield 174 bu./ac Avg high N rate = 198 lb N/ac, Avg yield 179 bu/ac $100 $50 $0 -$50 -$100 $(3.08) $20.08 $(5.82) $(3.52) $(0.45) year avg. for higher N comparisons=$1.44/ac

43 Basal Stalk Nitrate Test-Late Season N Evaluation BSNT Interpretation < 250=Deficient =Marginal =Optimal >2000+ Excessive

44 25% 20% 15% BSNT (Low Apps v.s. High Rates) 2011 soybean/corn 21% 19% 104 Samples 16% 13% 10% 9% 8% 8% 6% 5% 0% Excessive Optimum Marginal Low Low Rate Apps High Rate Apps

45 40% 30% BSNT (Low Apps v.s. High Apps) 2011 corn/corn 36% 31% 61 Samples 20% 10% 5% 8% 7% 5% 7% 2% 0% Excessive Optimum Marginal Low LowRate Apps High Rate Apps

46 N Test Basal Rate Moist. Wt. Yield Stalk Check Treatment A (low) Treatment B (high) v.s. 206 lbs. total N Spring applied NH3

47 Corn following Corn Fall DAP, Pot, ZN Starter Side Dress NH3 135 v.s. 165 total N Check Ave Treatment A (low) Treatment B (high)

48 Conclusions Higher yield does not always mean greater return from additional N SB/C 84% of sites had a yield advantage 55% of sites had an economic advantage C/C 66% of sites yield advantage 41% of sites had and economic advantage New genetics are becoming much more efficient SB/C pounds of N to produce bushel C/C pounds of N to produce a bushel Organic matter contribution Check strips many times 70% of overall yield. Increased emphasis on water quality. Must be more conscious about nutrient losses. Wellhead protection areas, impaired waters, Hypoxia

49 City of Verndale Wellhead Protection Area Project

50 Verndale Drinking Water Supply Management Area NMI test plots BMP test plots

51 Lysimeter Installation Bucket auger holes for lysimeters - 2 ft below trench Trench runs are 2-feet deep Hole at bottom of the trench (4 ft Total) Pushing lysimeter into hole and silica mix Mixing silica flour & coating ceramic tips Ready for PVC

52 Sample lines kept below ground surface out of way of farmer

53 NMI strips Long-term lysimeters installed

54 Verndale WHPA Lysimeter Install Private Producer Land: N Rate Trials/WQ Monitoring Illustration by Ryan Lemickson, MDA Nitrogen application rate comparison trials (NMI Program) Sample port Sample port

55 Cross section of nitrogen rates Illustration by Ryan Lemickson, MDA Sample port

56 Purging lysimeter water by hand pump ~ i.e. sampling Staff from MDA, MN Rural Water, and Wadena SWCD took turns sampling all summer and fall.

57 NO3-N (mg/l) 60 V5 SD Verndale Lysimeter NO3-N (mg/l), lb rate lb Rate 40 Zero N V10 SD 0 5/5 5/25 6/14 7/4 7/24 8/13 9/2 9/22 10/12 11/1 Date

58 Corn Yield Results Strip Number Total N Harvested Length in Feet Row Width Inches # of Row s Harvested % Moisture Test Weight Harvest Weight Adjusted 15% Stalk Nitrate Results Yield Averages Check Check Ave Treatment A (low) Treatment B (high) Check Nitrogen Cost per lb. of actual N 0.53 Nitrogen to Corn Price* Ratio 0.08 University of Mn. Rate Guidelines *Based on farmers actual costs & predominant nitrogen source Additional Cost for 30 lbs. of N per acre $15.90 Yield Difference from Additional N bushels/acre or -$10.80 Net Return from Additional N per $6.22/bu ($26.70)

59 Education Outreach Activities Fall Nutrient Newsletter Nutrient Conference Jackpot Junction Morton Feb15, 2012 Direct mailers to crop consultants & farmers Press Releases News articles Meetings Crop Consultants Farmers Dealers

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